Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Ethosuximide

Ethosuximide: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What Is Ethosuximide?

Ethosuximide is an FDA-approved drug used to treat absence seizures in children above three years of age. Seizures are produced in the brain due to dysregulated activation of different brain centers. Ethosuximide breaks this chain of dysregulation by blocking the T-type calcium channels. The blockage of the channels helps to lower the occurrence of seizures in the patient. The drug is sold under the brand name Zarontin in various countries.

What Are the Uses of Ethosuximide?

Ethosuximide has been FDA-approved for the treatment of absence seizures in epileptic patients. Off-label, the drug may be used for analgesic functions. Ethosuximide is not used to treat any other types of convulsions. The drug can treat absence seizures or petit mal seizures in patients above three years of age. The dose may be in the form of tablets and oral suspensions in the market.

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    What Are the Side Effects of Ethosuximide?

    Ethosuximide comes with lesser side effects in comparison to other antiepileptic drugs. The common side effects of the drug are gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

    Suicidal thoughts, depression, and other mental problems are considered serious side effects of the drug, along with different allergic reactions, and require immediate medical interventions. Contact our medical experts to know more about the side effects you are experiencing.

    What is Ethosuximide

    Uses of Ethosuximide

    Side effects of Ethosuximide

    References

    1. Ethosuximide Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing – WebMD
    2. Ethosuximide: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online
    3. Ethosuximide | Epilepsy Foundation
    4. Ethosuximide – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
    5. Ethosuximide Uses,Images & Side effects (rxlist.com)

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Ethosuximide

    As an antiepileptic drug, it is common to experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety with the use of ethosuximide. Depression is listed among the severe side effects of the drug, which require immediate medical intervention. Therefore, you must exercise precautions with the use of the drug.

    Yes. Insomnia and other sleep disturbances can occur as a side effect of ethosuximide. It is a common side effect. Headache, fatigue, dizziness, hiccups, and nausea may accompany insomnia. Contact medical experts to get help for your insomnia.

    Ethosuximide is an anticonvulsant or an antiepileptic drug (AED). It blocks the excitatory calcium channels in the brain to bring down the dysregulated activation being produced in different parts of the brain. Ethosuximide is used in the treatment of absence seizures only.

    Ethosuximide inhibits the T-type calcium channels located in the brain. These channels activate different parts of the brain, which are responsible for seizure activity, particularly in patients experiencing absence seizures. Ethosuximide also increases the brain’s threshold towards epileptic action potentials, thus lowering the occurrence of seizures.

    It is not uncommon to experience drowsiness, dizziness, or sleepiness as side effects of using ethosuximide. Therefore, it is generally advised to avoid taking the dose before operating heavy machinery or driving as a precaution. Keep your doctor updated on the uses and side effects of the drug.

    Ethosuximide might take a few weeks to work. The dosage needs to be increased slowly to reach a therapeutic level, therefore taking longer to work. As a result, patients might experience seizures for the first few weeks, even after taking the medicine.

    Ethosuximide has been said to reduce the incidence of seizures to half in almost 95% of the patients. Thus, overall, ethosuximide can be regarded as a highly effective anticonvulsant medicine. It also has a lower incidence of adverse side effects. Therefore, it is safe as well as effective.

    According to the studies, ethosuximide has a half-life of around 50-60 hours in adults. It has a shorter half-life of approximately 30-40 hours when administered to children. The drug is metabolized by the liver. The uses of the drug in patients with liver diseases require great attention.

    There is not much evidence to prove that Ethosuximide is an addictive drug. However, the drug should not be discontinued suddenly. The doses must be lowered gradually if the drug needs to be stopped in the patient. Contact our medical experts to know more about epilepsy and the medicines.

    Uncontrolled doses of ethosuximide can cause the patient to overdose on the drug. In that case, you may experience nausea, vomiting, shallow breathing, and even loss of consciousness. Contact your nearest medical center immediately in case of an overdose. To prevent overdose, take proper precautions while using the drug.

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